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Currently I’m just over 2 weeks into my very first ‘official’ 21 Day Sugar Detox, following Diane Sanfilippo’s Level 2 version of the program. With her new book as my guide, as well as handy recipe resource, things have been actually going quite smoothly. If I ever have a basic question about what I can or can’t eat on the program, I can just flip through the book and find out in seconds. Stumped about what to make for dinner? There’s a recipe index…with pictures! Honestly, I’m not sure why all indexes aren’t made this way. Diane’s really leveled up her photography game with this new baby. You’ll be drooling over everything!

The book is laid out beautifully. All the information is clear and easy to access so there’s never any difficulty finding the information you need. The intro section gives you just enough science to make you believe in what you’re going to do for the next 3 weeks, without bogging you down with too much technical stuff. Then, there’s meal plans to follow each level of the program. The last half of the book is recipes, which are all adaptable to any level of the program, including modifications for athletes, autoimmune conditions and pescetarians. You could do the whole thing without needing any other resources than this one book (plus ingredients for cooking), and you’d never be bored with what you’re eating, there’s so much variety! So far my favourite recipe from the book is the Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs. It comes together in minutes, doesn’t take long to cook, and creates the most extremely moist and flavourful meal.

I’ve got one week left to go, and considering that at one point I did a 400 day sugar detox (please don’t do this), I think I can tough it out for one more week! Right now the permitted daily green apple and squash taste MAGICAL! It’s really quite something. If you’re interested in trying it yourself, I wholeheartedly recommend using this book as a guide.

Of course, even though the book has everything you could want, including some not-sweet treats, I did have to venture to make my own recipe. I was inspired by a post from Emma’s Paleo, and I decided to adapt it into a little something of my own; Spiced Apple Muffins with Bacon!

If you’re not on the detox you will still be able to enjoy these, they just won’t seem as sweet as they do to me!

I don’t recommend going so low-carb for that long without cycling into some higher carb phases (with fruit and safe starches) because, at least for me, it caused some unhealthy eating behaviours. Also, I was so lean that it started to cause health problems, and then eventually I rebounded–and hard. That rebound is something I’m still recovering from.

I think doing phases of stricter plans like the 21DSD and Whole30 are great tools, but for some people like myself with a history of mildly disordered eating, staying on them for the long term can lead to problems.

That being said, I’m on Day 18 this time around and I feel pretty good! What I plan to do is take a couple days off the strict plan this time, and then do it again. Good luck with yours!!